Kathryn Magson

12 hours ago, Woodbutcher said:

Just finished series one of "Das Boot" , not particularly "christmassy" but the next three series will be my festive binge-watch ... 

I watched Das Boot years ago - it was absolutely gripping from start to finish! Might just have to watch it again......

3 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Yes, but its time to care. The BBC presenting a mediocre non-northern soul scene dancer as The World Champion, and calling the awful show she is in a cross between 'Phoenix Nights and Northern Soul' says it all. 

No doubt Mr R doesn't care as it seems to be all about product and paypal soul streams. 

For example, when Wigan closed, if a relatively small group of us hadn't cared enough to carry on, week in, week out, truly underground,  travelling miles to support venues, there would be no scene for returnees and online soul curators to swamp and parody.

I care about the roots of this culture and, for me,  it was built on decades of dedication, tenacity and caring enough to maintain connections to the musicians that created it, the vinyl, the dancing, the real souls and a collective understanding that its not all about or 'you' or 'I'.

I often see these online Northern Soul celebrity dancers, filming themselves alone on the dance floor and thats very emblematic really...

Thanks for that - my misspent teenage years at The Wheel!

Dark Hearts (BBC 4 and I Player) French series set in Iraq during peak Isis. It's a grower and very suspenseful

14 hours ago, Jessie Pinkman said:

I've just watched the 1st episode and I really enjoyed it.

I've just finished watching Dark Hearts - it ends on a cliffhanger so I hope there's a sequel! Watching Warriors now on BBC Iplayer. That's another good one - British troops in Bosnia working with NATO. Well worth watching.

I'm half-way through watching Dark Hearts on BBC IPlayer (in a mix of French & English) Definite thumbs up from me! 

On 08/11/2023 at 23:46, Mark S said:

Funny isn't it years ago we were. all discussing encouraging new blood on the scene, well now we have it wether its people reinventing their youth or young people just starting out. 

Either way it's't have  being done differently, personaly can't stand dance competitions or the publicity and over exposure most being orchestrated and exploited by greedy people on the scene who should know better. Be careful what you wish for 

Well said Mark - couldn't have put it better myself! I didn't watch any of it - it's all a "thanks but no thanks" from me. 

2 hours ago, Julianb said:

I recently had the misfortune to be shown a video of Mrs Russ Winstanley giving a 'northern soul' dance tutorial, filmed somewhere in Wigan☹

Think I'm glad I missed that one! 

Found it on you tube - it's bloody awful!

I only go to local soul nights now & even then it's only about once a month or so nowadays.

On 19/10/2023 at 18:24, Julianb said:

I would love to comment on this thread but I can't remember 

I'm surprised I can remember as much as I do Julian - it's all a bit of a jumble though......... 

40 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

Not my idea of Northern Soul always wanted it to be a bit elitist myself but unfortunately the genie is out of the lamp and all and sundry have leapt on the bandwagon. 

They do seem to be enjoying themselves on most of the vids I have watched and to those partaking that's the whole point a good weekend getting pi**ed and dancing and reliving it later on YouTube. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts exactly! It would be SO good if we could stuff that genie back into his bottle.........

On 01/09/2023 at 16:52, Andybellwood said:

Oh dear. Shame the current owner isn’t being very transparent in their plans for the site?

When we looked round The Ritz a couple of weeks ago, I think the person that showed us around was the owner (or co-owner). She told us that they had tried absolutely everything they could think of - the local council to see if any help was available - reduced rates etc - heritage funding had also been tried & refused - listed building status - but nothing was forthcoming. She seemed really frustrated & disappointed at the lack of response from the authorities - it must have cost the current owners a small fortune in rates & insurance alone to keep things going while they tried for help with funding & that they had now run out of options. It was costing too much to keep on flogging the proverbial "dead horse" & now - sadly - demolition seems to be the only option. The place is in such a sad, sorry state that I reckon the cost of restoration would be prohibitive anyway. 

I've just been into Brighouse this aft & went past The Ritz. The bulldozers haven't moved in yet, but there's all sorts of stuff piled up in the car park - it looks as though they're gutting the place before demolition. 

3 hours ago, Andybellwood said:

Hasn’t the exterior had Grade 11 listed status- or just wishful thinking ?

"Fraid not Andy - would be great if it was! I think The Ritz was considered for listing at some point, but for some reason it wasn't granted listed status. 

16 hours ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

Millionaires 

Craig Charles is an English actor, comedian, author, poet, DJ, and television presenter who has a net worth of $2.5 million.

Stuart Maconie Networth 2023  2.85 Million - plus maybe tap 

John Manship & Kev Roberts up 

Looking for support from some of the rich guys would be a great idea & has already crossed my mind. I've asked around, but nobody seems to know just who currently owns The Ritz, let alone their contact details. I thought it sounded on Friday that it won't be very long at all before the bulldozers move in.  

2 hours ago, Stephen Houghton said:

Wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery and buy it and make it rise from the ashes again if only

It certainly would Stephen - it would take a massive win! We could maybe do with a few rich mates willing to club together & bail it out......how many millionaires do you know? 'Fraid I don't think I know any unless they're keeping it secret lol.